Connection device for leak detector

ABSTRACT

A connection device for a leak detector for detecting leaks in pipes of an automobile air conditioning system is provided with an elongated body including a plurality of threaded holes, and a slot at one end; a first threaded hollow fastener disposed through the other end of the elongated body, the first threaded hollow fastener including a first valve at one end, a first threaded shank, a first connection member at the other end and having an opening, and a first O-ring placed on the first connection member; and a second threaded hollow fastener moveably disposed through the slot and including a second valve at one end, a second threaded shank, a second connection member at the other end and having an opening, and a second O-ring placed on the second connection member.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to leak detection and more particularly to a connection device for a leak detector for detecting leaks in pipes of an automobile air conditioning system having improved characteristics.

2. Description of Related Art

A conventional leak detector for detecting gas leaks in a pressurized gas source comprises a housing containing a sampling chamber; an infrared emitter for emitting IR energy; a single filter for allowing IR energy to pass therethrough; a sensor for detecting IR energy that has passed through the single filter to detect the presence of selected gas constituents in a gas sample; and a pump for forcing a gas sample from a suspected gas leak that emanates from the pressurized gas source though the sampling chamber.

While the device enjoys its success in the market, continuing improvements in the exploitation of leak detector and its connection device are constantly being sought.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore one object of the invention to provide a connection device for a leak detector for detecting leaks in pipes of an automobile air conditioning system. The connection device comprises an elongated body including a plurality of threaded holes, and a slot at one end; a first threaded hollow fastener disposed through the other end of the elongated body, the first threaded hollow fastener including a first valve at one end, a first threaded shank, a first connection member at the other end and having an opening, and a first O-ring placed on the first connection member; and a second threaded hollow fastener moveably disposed through the slot and including a second valve at one end, a second threaded shank, a second connection member at the other end and having an opening, and a second O-ring placed on the second connection member.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a connection device for leak detector according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the connection device;

FIG. 3 is still another perspective view of the connection device;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an expansion valve to be secured to the connection device;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the assembled expansion valve and the connection device; and

FIG. 6 is a side elevation schematically showing a test pipe connected to the connection device of FIG. 5 for detecting leaks in pipes of an automobile air conditioning system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 6, a connection device 1 for a leak detector for detecting leaks in pipes of an automobile air conditioning system in accordance with the invention comprises the following components as discussed in detail below.

An elongated body 2 includes three threaded holes 4 through an intermediate portion, and a slot 5 at one end. A first threaded hollow fastener 3 is provided through the other end of the body 2. The first threaded hollow fastener 3 includes a valve a at one end, a threaded shank a1 , a connection member b at the other end and having an opening b1, and an O-ring c placed on the connection member b. A second threaded hollow fastener 6 is provided through the slot 5 and includes a valve a at one end, a threaded shank a1, a connection member b at the other end and having an opening b1, and an O-ring c placed on the connection member b.

An automobile air conditioning system includes a mounting plate 72 and an expansion valve 71 secured to the mounting plate 72. The expansion valve 71 includes a first channel 71 a 1 connected to an outlet pipe 73 b and communicating therewith, and a second channel 71 a 2 connected to an inlet pipe 73 a and communicating therewith, and a second channel 71 a 2. The inlet pipe 73 a and the outlet pipe 73 b communicate with each other.

For detecting leaks in pipes of an automobile air conditioning system, an employee may connect the connection member b to the first and second channels 71 a 1 and 71 a 2 respectively by snapping. Also, the connections are leakproof due to the provision of the O-rings c. The valve a of the first threaded hollow fastener 3 communicates with the outlet pipe 73 b of the evaporator via the first channel 71 a 1 of the expansion valve 71. The valve a of the second threaded hollow fastener 6 communicates with the inlet pipe 73 a of the evaporator via the second channel 71 a 2 of the expansion valve 71. Thereafter, a test pipe 81 is connected to the valve a of the first threaded hollow fastener 3. Alternatively, the test pipe 81 is connected to the valve a of the second threaded hollow fastener 6 in other embodiments. A pressure gauge 82 is mounted on the test pipe 81. Then test gas is supplied to the test pipe 81. The test gas passes through the valve a of the first threaded hollow fastener 3, the first channel 71 a 1 of the expansion valve 71, the outlet pipe 73 b of the evaporator, pipes in the evaporator, the inlet pipe 73 a of the evaporator, the second channel 71 a 2 of the expansion valve 71, and the valve a of the second threaded hollow fastener 6. The test gas supply will be stopped when pressure value shown on the pressure gauge 82 reaches a desired value. After 24 to 48 hours after the stop, the employee may inspect the pressure value of the pressure gauge 82. It means there is no leak in the evaporator if there is no drop of the pressure value of the pressure gauge 82. To the contrary, it means there are leaks in the pipes of the evaporator if there is a significant drop of the pressure value of the pressure gauge 82.

The mounting of the second threaded hollow fastener 6 through the slot 5 is not fixed. That is, the second threaded hollow fastener 6 may move between two ends of the slot 5. This enables an employee to secure the second threaded hollow fastener 6 to the expansion valve 71 which may be one of a wide variety of types of expansion valve made by different automobile component manufacturing companies.

While the invention has been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modifications within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A connection device for a leak detector comprising: an elongated body including a plurality of threaded holes, and a slot at one end; a first threaded hollow fastener disposed through the other end of the elongated body, the first threaded hollow fastener including a first valve at one end, a first threaded shank, a first connection member at the other end and having an opening, and a first O-ring placed on the first connection member; and a second threaded hollow fastener moveably disposed through the slot and including a second valve at one end, a second threaded shank, a second connection member at the other end and having an opening, and a second O-ring placed on the second connection member. 